Outside a/c unit turns on, spins, runs great, cold. Then, after a while, it stops spinning. When it tries to kick back on, I hear a humm, it doesn't spin. Then after about a minute, I hear a humm, it doesn't spin. Then, after the unit tries for 2-3 times, it spins just fine and cools the house properly. This routine happens over and over. What could be the problem?

I had a guy come out and he was baffled. He's GUESSING it's the fan motor. I'm very skepitcal because when it runs, it's running perfect. To replace the fan motor it's going to cost me about $530 which includes the $75 diagnostic service call.

Has anyone seen this before?

I would chamge the capacitor, May solve the problem and worth the gamble.
You can hear the Motor hum, what is the compressor doing at this time?

Fan motor is overheating - get a tech who has worked in the field for more than a couple of days.

Could be motor going bad but there are a BUNCH of things to check first to eliminate that but it takes time -(not getting to the $500 tab quickly, of course) he also would swap out the same motor and leave and have the same thing happen in 15 minutes with the new one.

I'm guessing it's the compressor I hear humm. Doesn't the compressor make noise first and then the spinning takes place? I hear the noise, then when the fan doesn't spin, I hear a pop as it stops. Then, everything kicks on just fine. I took a video of it with sound. Is there a way to post it so you can hear it?